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Fighting Fat: Obesity Prevention Program Takes Action
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FRESNO, Calif.(November 14, 2007) - The Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program announced it has developed an obesity prevention action plan that focuses on environmental and policy change efforts at the local and regional level.
The regional obesity prevention program is the Central California Public Health Partnership’s initiative to create environments that support healthy eating and active living in the San Joaquin Valley. The program is a unique partnership involving California State University, Fresno, six public health departments, six community-based organizations, and six obesity councils in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced and Tulare counties.
The program’s goal is to address obesity by improving access to healthy foods and physical activity environments. Each county is working collaboratively with their communities and decision-makers on developing more farmers markets, community gardens, joint-use policies for schools, advocating for park improvements and additional recreational programs, among many other things.
The Central Valley faces alarming rates of obesity among children, adolescents and adults. Communities of color, low-income populations, and rural communities are the most affected by obesity and its resulting conditions because they tend to experience more limited access to healthy foods and inadequate environments for physical activity.
Based on a recent analysis conducted by the Central Valley Health Policy Institute at California State University, Fresno the percentage of overweight and obesity in the Valley for adolescents, adults and seniors during 2005 was higher than the statewide average.
In the San Joaquin Valley, 15.5 percent of adolescents, ages 12-17, were overweight and obese compared to 14.2 percent in California. In the Valley, 65 percent of non-elderly adults, ages 18-64, were overweight and obese compared to the statewide average of 56.2 percent. During the same year, 63 percent of Valley seniors reported that they were obese and overweight compared to 55.7 percent statewide.
Historically, obesity has been addressed through interventions that focus on individual and behavioral change. Although these are important elements to obesity prevention, the impact that the environment has on one’s ability to eat better and be more physically active has been disregarded.
“The Valley produces a multitude of nutritious foods, however, many residents struggle to eat healthy, get access to healthy foods and often times aren’t sure where their next meal will come from. Some communities don’t have parks and if parks are available they have limited use or space,” explained Genoveva Islas-Hooker, regional program coordinator for the Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program.
“It’s difficult to educate communities on eating better and moving more if they simply don’t have access to healthy foods and safe places to be active. Creating healthier food and physical activity environments will make it easier for people to make healthier choices and live healthier lifestyles,” she added.
The Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program encourages residents to be involved in their communities by having an active voice about the challenges they face with healthy food access and physical activity. Residents can join their local obesity prevention council and identify friends, family members or neighbors who are interested in working together to promote a healthier community.
Residents can be a part of the solutions by working with school administrators, teachers or Parent Teacher Association boards to ensure that only healthy foods are offered at school. They can also encourage city officials to maintain parks and offer recreational programs in their area and explore many other areas that need to be addressed.
The Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program is administered by the Central California Center for Health and Human Services and is housed under the College of Health and Human Services at California State University, Fresno.
The regional obesity prevention program is funded by The California Endowment.
For more information about our program or to learn more about how you can join our efforts, please visit our Web site at: http://www.ccropp.org/orcontact us at: 559.228.2140.
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